Tag Archives: Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

Before we even settle down for a Thanksgiving dinner, the season of Thanksmas is upon us. Thanksmas is the time when retailers try to rush us right past Thanksgiving into the season of Christmas. You know it has arrived when the obnoxious fluorescent lighting of a store is actually overshadowed by the Christmas displays. Everywhere you look, commercial Christmas is upon us. Rather than subtle and tasteful decorations, most stores go for the “Santa’s elves just threw up in here” look.

What’s the matter with savoring a holiday? If you ask me, Thanksgiving should last for a week. It’s a holiday that has nothing whatsoever to do with gifts, but rather family and gratitude. (Okay, I’m trying to overlook the football, parades of lip-synchers, and ridiculous amounts of desserts.) But even at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, Santa Claus arrives to steal the show. Shouldn’t he be kept under wraps for his grand appearance a month later? Plus, I don’t know if it’s really fair to leave Mrs. Claus and the elves during the start of their busy season.

Santa Claus used to appear on Christmas Eve, but now I guess it’s all about public relations and keeping in touch with the people. The other day I saw hundreds of children in line to see Santa at the mall. Not only did the parents look exhausted, but the children did not seem at all excited at the thought of standing for an hour to spend a minute on a stranger’s lap. Apparently no one questioned the fact that during the busy week before Christmas, Santa was spending an afternoon at a mall food court.

Nothing against Kris Kringle, but he would make much more of an impact if he made one annual appearance. Let each holiday have its own day of glory. Besides, how would Santa like it if the Easter Bunny showed up on Christmas morning? Next thing you know, Cupid will drop the ball on New’s Year’s Eve, and the Leprechaun will pass out Valentines. Let’s put an end to the holiday merge! Thanksmas, Christmas Year’s Day, Valentine’s Birthday, The Fourth of Easter!

Now that the Christmas season has arrived, we should cherish every moment of it. It is a glorious holiday that deserves its moment in the spotlight. And as much as I love and respect George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, I do not want to celebrate their birthdays during a Christmas parade.

Have a Merry Christmas, everyone! Here are some links to some of my previous Christmas blogs: